The Woman in White
Description
The Woman in White is the true story of the forced disappearance of Juana Irma Cisneros Ticas, a mother and nurse who was captured during the Salvadoran civil war on September 12, 1982.
From October 15, 1979 to January 16, 1992, El Salvador endured a civil war. More than 8000 people were forcibly disappeared, over 80,000 died, 1 million were displaced, and 500,000 were internally displaced.
A victim of enforced disappearance is distinct from a missing person. Enforced disappearance is the state-sanctioned taking of a person followed by a refusal to acknowledge the taking or disclose the fate or location of the disappeared person. (People for Equality and Relief in Lanka)
Trigger Warning: Content includes adult language and depictions of violent events.
View video
(Spanish subtitles)
View audience reactions
(Toronto Documentary Short Film Festival)
Artist Statement
We often hear stories of forced disappearance, but rarely do we experience them from the perspective of their families who are still searching. This photo exhibit and film offers an intimate look into a daughter’s journey through love and loss, and her quest for justice. The items featured in these photos – an ID card and graduation cape – hold special memories and are among the few remaining pieces belonging to Juana Irma.
Dedicated to Juana Irma Cisneros Ticas, and all the human rights defenders and victims of war in Central America. May this film contribute to your journey to justice, reparations, and healing.
“What an incredibly poignant film – it’s an amazing
piece of work.”
—Samer Muscati, Human Rights Watch
Credits
Featuring – Ana Cisneros
Director & Producer – Roshanak Jaberi
Cinematography & Post-Production – Danielle Khan Da Silva
Editing & Photography – Danielle Khan Da Silva
Camera Assistance – Nika Belianina
Music – “A Moment of Clarity” by Stephen Keech, “Hold This Place” and “Endgame” by Alice in Winter, “After the Storm” by Moments
Closed Captioning – Erick Nettel
Screenings
Buenos Aires International Film Festival, Buenos Aires, Argentina (2022)
Official Selection: Short Film Documentary
Indie Short Fest, Los Angeles, California (2022)
Official Selection: Documentary Short
Imagine This Women’s Film Festival, Brooklyn, New York (2022)
Official Selection: Documentary Short
Toronto Documentary Feature & Short Film Festival, Toronto, Canada (2022)
Official Selection: Documentary Short Film
Love Wins international Film Festival, Roslyn, New York (2022)
Official Selection: Best Short Documentary
FLICKFAIR Film Festival, Los Angeles, California (2022)
Official Selection: Documentary Short
Belleville Downtown Docfest, Belleville, Canada (2022)
Official Selection: Short Film
Barcelona Human Rights Film Festival, Barcelona, Spain (2021)
Official Selection: Short Film
Awards & Nominations
FilmHaus Berlin (2022)
Winner of Best World-Changing Doc
Nominated for Best Short Documentary
Nominated for Best Doc Directing
Nominated for Best Character-Driven Doc
Indie Short Fest (2022)
Winner of Outstanding Achievement Award in Cinematography Honorable Mention (Best Documentary Short)
Annual Award Finalist
Nominated for Best First Time Director, Female
Shortlisted for the Cannes Indie Shorts (Semi-finalist)
Nominated for the Madrid Film Awards
Funders & Partners
Ontario Trillium Foundation, Resilient Communities Fund
Ontario Arts Council, Arts Response Initiative
Welcome to Ferngully
Viewing
The film is available with Closed Captioning (English only) and with Spanish subtitles. For closed captioning, click on the CC icon at the bottom right of the Vimeo screen.
If you are having trouble loading the video, go to the gear icon at the bottom right of the Vimeo screen, and select the quality level from the dropdown menu, 4K is the highest quality which requires high speed internet.
For the best viewing experience, please use headsets and view in full screen by clicking on the icon at the bottom far right of the Vimeo screen.
AR Photo Exhibit
This documentary film and photography exhibit can be experienced in Augmented Reality at the, as part of a free public art installation.
Thank You
Kingston Grand Theatre
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
